Hi.
I've been brewing ales from kits for several years and most have turnnd out pretty good. I've decided to run with the big dogs and try my hand at all grain brewing. I've ordered the necessary grains, hops, yeast etc. to brew a 5 gallon batch of Liberty Cream Ale. I first made a mashing tun out of a 48 qt rubbermaid rectangular cooler with 1/2 inch CPVC manafold according to the instructions in Lutzen and Stevens book. I then read that a 48 qt cooler is too large and will result in a too thin grain bed. I had a 5 gallon water cooler in in my basement I tried to make a false bottom out if plastic but it was a disaster. I then made a support to hsupport grain bag, about 2 inches above the drain hole. So, I now have 2 options I can either dump the grains in the 48 qt cooler on top of the Manifold, add the hot water and proceed fron there or I can put the grains in a grain bog and place the bag in the 5 gal coole and add the hot water. I would appreciate responses as to the pros and cons of each option and what you think would be the beat approach
Thanks for any help.
David
I've been brewing ales from kits for several years and most have turnnd out pretty good. I've decided to run with the big dogs and try my hand at all grain brewing. I've ordered the necessary grains, hops, yeast etc. to brew a 5 gallon batch of Liberty Cream Ale. I first made a mashing tun out of a 48 qt rubbermaid rectangular cooler with 1/2 inch CPVC manafold according to the instructions in Lutzen and Stevens book. I then read that a 48 qt cooler is too large and will result in a too thin grain bed. I had a 5 gallon water cooler in in my basement I tried to make a false bottom out if plastic but it was a disaster. I then made a support to hsupport grain bag, about 2 inches above the drain hole. So, I now have 2 options I can either dump the grains in the 48 qt cooler on top of the Manifold, add the hot water and proceed fron there or I can put the grains in a grain bog and place the bag in the 5 gal coole and add the hot water. I would appreciate responses as to the pros and cons of each option and what you think would be the beat approach
Thanks for any help.
David